After the state capital Jackson, Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi. Gulfport is co-county seat with Biloxi of Harrison County, Mississippi. Since the French settled here back in 1699, the land stretching along Mississippi's Gulf Coast has evolved in numerous ways. Today, one can see the glimpses of the area's storied past in the weathered faces of the local fishermen and sprawling mansions surrounded by towering moss-draped oaks. However the city has been modernized that is reflected in 12 glittering casinos bringing millions of tourists each year to wine, dine and put their money on the line.
The Gulf Coast is now a prime vacation destination with activities and attractions to suit all tastes, once a row of thriving fishing communities. Gulfport has a lot to offer to its guests. For antique lovers, historic Ocean Springs is the place to be. You can dine on fabulous seafood and po' boy sandwiches in Gulfport. To learn about art and history you must visit several top-notch museums, go shrimping in the Gulf, lounge on the shimmering 26-mile beach and enjoy your sparkling nightlife in Biloxi during your stay. The Gulf Coast is now a diverse, dynamic destination that has not forgotten its roots thanks to the seamless combination of yesterday's gentility and today's dazzle. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 71,127. Much of Gulfport was flooded or destroyed, with a storm surge exceeding 20 feet (6.1 m) in some sections on August 29, 2005, when Gulfport took a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina.
